Recruiting: Michigan State trying to put finishing touches on class of 2014

December 13, 2013

Southfield DL Malik McDowell / Andre J. Jackson/DFP

By Matt Dorsey

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

Michigan State is headed to the Rose Bowl, but the coaching staff is using this week to hit the recruiting trail. They will visit some of the top remaining recruiting targets for the class of 2014. The Spartans likely have just two or three scholarships left, so they are being selective.

The six players listed are just some of the recruits the staff is still actively involved with. The staff is only looking at about a dozen prospects to fill the final spots.

Cincinnati Winton Woods DT Daniel Cage

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Cage is one of the top uncommitted players at his position in the nation. He has over 20 scholarship offers, but this one will likely down to a battle between MSU and Louisville. The Spartans have not hosted Cage on an official visit yet, but will likely do so in January. Cage has been to MSU several times over the past 18 months and has a good relationship with his primary recruiter, defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett.

Wayne (N.J.) De Paul Catholic DB Kiy Hester

Hester took his official visit to MSU for the Minnesota game and the four-star prospect came away impressed. The former Rutgers commit wants to take a few more visits to schools like Miami (Fla.) and Arkansas. The Spartans are sitting in a strong position with Hester because of the chance to play for defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. The development of defensive backs under Coach Narduzzi and Coach Barnett has been impressive.

Bolingbrook (Ill.) DB Parrker Westphal

The four-star recruit is in the final stages of his recruitment and could make his decision any day now. Westphal has narrowed his choices down to MSU, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. He must decide if the academic aspect of a school like Northwestern trumps the opportunity to play for a championship-level program like MSU. The fact that Darqueze Dennard just won the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation top defensive back cannot hurt the Spartans’ chances.

Sun Prairie (Wis.) DT Craig Evans

The 6-2, 313-pound Evans is rated a four-star recruit and the No. 1 player in Wisconsin for the class of 2014. Evans made a commitment to the Badgers back in the summer, but has since taken multiple visits to East Lansing. Evans considers himself a soft commitment to Wisconsin, but took an official visit to MSU earlier this month. He recently indicated that his college decision is going to be a difficult one. He also has visited Arkansas.

Southfield DL Malik McDowell

The 6-6, 292-pound McDowell is the No. 1 prospect in Michigan for the class of 2014. The Spartans stopped into his high school on Monday after winning the Big Title. McDowell is planning to take all of his visits, but at this point he is indicating his official visits will be to the out of state schools such as Alabama, LSU and Ohio State. He has stated he is still looking closely at Michigan and MSU. The Wolverines have long been viewed as the leader and are reportedly the preference of his parents.

Sylvania (Ohio) Southview WR JayJay Pinckney

The 6-3, 172-pound Pinckney is a Rivals.com three-star prospect that has long listed the Spartans as his top choice. He also has been offered scholarships by teams such as Kentucky, Indiana, Cincinnati and Boston College. Pinckney has been to East Lansing several times over the past year and has publicly stated that the Spartans are his top choice. Pinckney is one of the top track athletes in Ohio and has the frame to add size without losing any of his speed.

Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.